CHURCH PARADE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1486, 8 July 1912, Page 9

CHURCH PARADE

fßy Telegraph,—Press Association.) Chi'istchurch, July 7. Tha annual Church parade of members of tho Omugo Lodge ajid special service in commemoration of July 12 look placa to-day and wero largely attended.

. Speaking in Synod on Friday afternoon on tho .subject of Chines* missions, Dr. T. H. Sprott (Bishop of Wellington) raid that tho awakening of China was tho most tremendous development in tho world politics of to-day. China had changed in a single, day, so to sjieak, an educational system whichj was introduced before tho

days of Abraham, and he ventured to prophecy, that the Chinese Empire would Become one of tho greatest empires in tho world. They in Australia and New Zealand had to faco that prospect as a very near question, and it was their duty to spread the lesson of Christianity in every possible way. There was hope in the Christianising of the Chinese Empire, and who knew but what a small effort in New Zealand would have far-reaching effects. The door was still open to us, but_ it would not bo opon lons,'. On the motion of the Rev. H. G. Blaekbm'ne, the Synod resolved; "That this Synod, recognising tho great responsibility laid upon us as Christian people by the presence in our midst of a large number of Chinese, urges upon the Church pooplo of this diocese a keener interest in, and increased support of, tho mission to the Chinese in Wellington."

In the course, of on interview in Sydney, Air. Oscar Asclio expressed his intention, of playing "Kismet" on the Continent, tho tonr including Berlin and St. Petersburg. The production in these cities is to be exactlv the same as in Australia and New Zealand. On returning to London the Oriental dramatic spectacle will again be sf«aged, and Mr. Asche confidently expects that it will reach n run of two years. "Australians," ho added, "are seeing tho production on a much better scale than in London, for hero wo havo more stage room, and the scenery takes a lot of handling. There will be a lot of difficulty in accommodating the plav to New Zealand theatres," said Mr. Asc'he, "for a great deal of alteration has to be made to tho stage and the proscenium. However, all this can be overcome, and we are looking forward with keen In+oH'at lo pur tint visit lo the Dominion."-